Indian batsman Hanuma Vihari has recently said that he has been utilising the time which he has got during the forced lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. He said that he has been trying to improve his fitness. However, Vihari had last played for India in their second Test against New Zealand earlier this month. He alongside Cheteshwar Pujara was about to play in the English County cricket this year but there is no surety of it now because of this pandemic. Moreover, the Central government has imposed a 21-day lockdown in order to restrict the spread of the virus.

“Mentally, I am trying hard to keep myself positive and busy. My challenge is: there is no cricket for the next three to four months,” Vihari told ESPNCricinfo.

“I do have a summer to look forward to having signed with a team in the English County Championship, where my contract starts from late August. Fingers crossed about that. I am going to use this time to focus on my fitness, sharpen my skills for county cricket as well as for the Australia tour in late 2020,” Hanuma Vihari further added.

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He has said that he is watching videos of the 2005 Ashes on loop to battle his boredom in this crunch situation.

“A few days into this enforced break because of the pandemic, I have begun to realise all the implications: I cannot go out, meet friends or do anything, pretty much. But that is the need of the hour — you have to isolate yourself and make sure things settle down,” he again added.

“I know boredom will set in easily, but I have a solution for that: watching the 2005 Ashes on video. It is my favourite. I have lost count of how many times I have watched it. The break has allowed a family get-together of sorts. My sister has joined me, my wife Preethi, and my mom,” Hanuma Vihari concluded.